| OLAP is a REPORTING tool used for understanding the database schema, DIMENSIONS, and composition FACTS(values and attributes). | Data mining is an analytic PROCESS that is useful for data analysis for finding out consistent patterns. |
| It is used to analyze past data. | It is used for future prediction. |
| It deals with detailed transaction-level data. | It deals with data summary. |
| A top-down data analysis approach is used where insight is obtained by analyzing the big picture. | A bottom-up data analysis approach is used where insights are obtained by analyzing data. |
